Barcelona announce Rakitic signing

Barcelona hope to officially announce the signing of Ivan Rakitic today. Around six o'clock on Monday evening, Barcelona's vice-president, Javier Faus and sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta left Sevilla's Sánchez Pizjuán stadium in a club car after laying down the foundations of the transfer.

The deal is all but done. Barcelona want to tie up any loose ends before Croatia's opening World Cup game against Brazil this Thursday, and for that reason, Sevilla are negotiating hard for the best deal they can.

The Catalan giants have offered €18m and Denis Suárez - who both Monchi and Emery are fans of on loan. After several hours of negotiations, a deal could be done for just under €20m plus Suárez, on loan, but with an option to make the move permanent.

The move will also cost Rakitic. He will have to waive any money that Sevilla will owe him in the near future. The club and their fans are angered by the footballer's attitude in recent months.

Although he has given his all on the pitch, he has beaten about the bush in signing a new deal, saying he would make up his mind after the World Cup. However, the fact is that he was playing for time in order to reach an agreement with Barcelona.

He will be Barça's second signing following the arrival of Ter Stegen. The Croat arrives at the Camp Nou to replace Cesc Fàbregas, whose move to Chelsea will also be made official in the next few hours.